Citrus Wheat Beer Loaf Cake: Bright, Buttery, and Glazed With Beer-Infused Citrus Sweetness

This Citrus Wheat Beer Loaf Cake is tender, zesty, and perfectly moist — like a lemon pound cake took a long sip of wheat beer and started glowing.

Citrus zest and juice keep it fresh, while a splash of beer brings a subtle bready backbone that makes every bite more complex. Topped with a glossy citrus-beer glaze, this is your new go-to for brunch tables, beer tastings, or sunny afternoon snacking.

Ingredients (Makes 1 loaf)

For the Cake

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup wheat beer (citrus-forward hefeweizen, witbier, or blonde ale)
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup whole milk or buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Citrus Beer Glaze

• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp citrus juice (lemon, orange, or a mix)
• 1–2 tbsp wheat beer
• Optional: pinch of zest or splash of orange liqueur

Instructions

Make the Cake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a standard loaf pan.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Stir in zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a measuring cup, combine beer and milk.
• Add dry ingredients to the wet in three additions, alternating with the beer mixture. Mix until just combined.
• Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Bake for 45–55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn onto a rack.

Make the Glaze

• In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, juice, and beer until smooth and pourable.
• Drizzle over warm (but not hot) cake and let set 10–15 minutes before slicing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve With

• Citrus salad or yogurt parfait
• A cold wheat beer or mimosa
• Toasted almonds and whipped cream on the side

Garnish With

• Extra zest or candied citrus peel
• Toasted coconut or sliced almonds
• Fresh mint or edible flowers

Beer Pairing

In the Batter & Glaze

• Hefeweizen (banana-citrus profile)
• Belgian witbier (orange peel + spice)
• Blonde ale or cream ale (clean and subtle)

In Your Glass

• The same beer used in the recipe
• Citrus radler or grapefruit wheat beer for brightness
• Saison or Kölsch for a dry, clean contrast
• Citrus-forward IPA (if you want to add some hop edge)

Final Thoughts

Citrus Wheat Beer Loaf Cake is light, vibrant, and secretly beer-savvy — the kind of bake that walks the line between citrus dessert and craft beer pairing centerpiece.

It’s just sweet enough, just zesty enough, and the beer gives it a mellow complexity that punches above its weight.

Cheers to citrus in your slice and beer in your batter! 🍋🍺🍰

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